Geranium plant named &#39;Maiden Deep Lavender&#39;

ABSTRACT

‘Maiden Deep Lavender’ is a new variety of Regal Geranium having compact growth and variegated lavender colored flowers with a distinctive eye.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Plant Patent Application No. 60/603,724 filed Aug. 23, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Pelargonium×domesticum

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

‘Maiden Deep Lavender’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Pelargonium×domesticum known by the varietal name ‘Maiden Deep Lavender’. The new variety was discovered in Lompoc, Calif. The new variety is a result of cross-breeding the unpatented ‘Austria’ variety, (female parent) and ‘Barroness’ (male parent) (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,908). The purpose of the breeding program was to introduce a high quality compact regal geranium. The new variety exhibits similar flower size and the early flowering of both parents with different flower color than either parent. ‘Maiden Deep Lavender’ is similar to ‘Maiden Lilac’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,420) but exhibits heavier blotching on petals and a more controlled compact habit. The new variety was first asexually reproduced by cuttings in Connellsville, Pa. The new variety has been trial and field tested and has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics and remain true to type through successive propagations.

The new variety was grown in a glass greenhouse in a 4 inch pot in Connellsville, Pa. using full light, 60° F. night temperature and 68° F. day temperature and grown in a soilless media with constant fertilizer at 150-200 ppm nitrogen and potassium. The new variety has a response time of twelve weeks from a rooted cutting to flowering in a 6 inch container.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘Maiden Deep Lavender’. Characteristics that distinguish ‘Maiden Deep Lavender’ as a new and distinct cultivar from others known to the breeder include:

1) Very early flowering; and

2) Very free flowering.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photographic drawing illustrates the new variety, with the color being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrations of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of the new cultivar. The data which defines these characteristics were collected by asexual reproductions carried out in Connellsville, Pa. The color readings were taken indoors under 65 to 85 footcandles of cool White fluorescent light. The new variety was fifteen weeks from a rooted cutting when described. Color references are primarily to the 1966 R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London.

Plant

-   Market class: Regal. -   Rooting time: Visible roots can be seen on the outside of a plug in     25 days under optimal conditions. -   Form: Medium mound habit. -   Height from media surface to top of foliage: 19 cm in a 6 inch pot. -   Strength (need for artificial support): No artificial support is     needed. -   Branching habit: Free basal branching. -   Stem:     -   -   Color.—144A.         -   Internode length.—1.5 to 3 cm. -   Foliage:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.         -   Stipules.—Two at each node.         -   Zone.—None present.         -   Size of leaf.—Length: 5.0 to 6.5 cm at longest point. Width:             5.5 to 7.5 cm at widest point.         -   Shape of leaf (generally).—Reniform with a truncate base.         -   Texture.—Leathery.         -   Margin type.—Serrated; lobed.         -   Pubescence.—Slight.         -   Color.—Upper surface: 137B. Lower surface: 144A.         -   Petiole.—Length: 3 to 4.5 cm. Color: 144A.         -   Veins.—Venation type: Palmate. Color: 145A.

Inflorescence

-   Bud: Stage of development when bud characteristics determined: Just     prior to sepals parting at the tips.     -   -   Shape of cluster.—Elliptical.         -   Diameter of cluster.—3.8 to 4.2 cm across; 2.0 to 2.3 cm             deep.         -   Number of buds per cluster.—5 to 8.         -   Shape of individual bud.—Elliptical or oval.         -   Length of individual bud.—1.2 to 1.3 cm.         -   Width of individual bud.—0.7 cm.         -   Sepals.—6; 1.3 to 1.4 cm long; 0.6 cm wide. -   Blooming habit: Continuous, free to flowering, large flowers forming     full color heads, early flowering. -   Umbel diameter: 7.5 to 9.5 cm. Borne: Umbel, flowers on pedicel,     pedicel on peduncle. -   Inflorescence position: 4 to 6 cm above foliage. -   Number of inflorescences per lateral branch: 1 to 3. -   Florets:     -   -   Form.—Cupped at base. As the flowers mature, the florets             gradually become more open/flat.         -   Diameter.—5.5 to 6.5 cm.         -   Depth.—1.5 to 2 cm. -   Petals:     -   -   Color.—All petals have a dark eye. The eye is more             pronounced and much larger on upper three petals than on             lower petals.         -   Upper surface.—The outer edge color is 78A moving to 74A at             outer edge of the dark eye. The eye is colored 187B. Near             the lower quarter of the petal, the eye ends and the color             sharply changes to stark white, with pronounced veining of             187A, 72A and 71A. Lower petals are same color as upper, but             with a smaller eye.         -   Lower surface.—The outer edge color is 78A moving to 74A at             outer edge of the eye. Eye color is 187C. At the lower             quarter of the petal, the eye ends and the petal color             becomes white, with dark veining of 187B and 71A.         -   Shape.—Inverted teardrop.         -   Length.—3.5 to 4 cm.         -   Width.—2.5 to 4 cm.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Number per floret.—5 to 6.         -   Texture.—Velvety, smooth, highly reflective. -   Petaloids: None. -   Pedicel:     -   -   Length.—2.3 to 2.6 cm.         -   Color.—144B. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Length.—5 to 6 cm.         -   Color.—144A. -   Fragrance: None noted. -   Disease/pest resistance: No unusual susceptibility to disease or     pests has been noted to date. -   Lastingness: Individual umbels last 14 to 21 days.

Reproductive Organs

-   Stamens:     -   -   Number (per flower).—5 to 7.         -   Filament.—Length: 13 to 15 mm. Color: 155D.         -   Anthers.—Length: 2 to 3 mm. Color: 77A.         -   Pollen color.—28A. -   Pistils:     -   -   Number.—1.         -   Length.—16 to 18 mm.         -   Style.—Length: 10 to 12 mm. Color: 71C.         -   Stigma.—Shape: Style splits and radiates into 5 parts.             Color: 71A.         -   Ovaries.—Completeness: Superior. Pubescence: Present.             Length: 6 to 8 mm. Width: 3 mm. Color: 138C. 

1. A new and distinct variety of Geranium named ‘Maiden Deep Lavender’ as described and illustrated. 